Michael E. Orok was appointed dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research at Tennessee State University in Nashville. Previously, he served as associate provost for academic affairs and graduate studies at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville. Earlier, he was professor and chair of the department of history and political science at Albany State University in Georgia.

Dr. Orok is a graduate of Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. He holds a master’s degree from Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in political science from Clark Atlanta University.

DoVeanna S. Fulton was named dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Houston Downtown. She has been serving as an associate professor and chair of gender and race studies at the University of Alabama. She previously taught at Arizona State University and the University of Memphis.

Dr. Fulton is a graduate of Wayne State University. She holds a Ph.D. in American studies from the University of Minnesota.

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Professional sports teams have discontinued playing Kate Smith’s version of “God Bless America” at games due to her recording of songs in the 1930s that contained racist lyrics. Which statement best reflects your view?

I agree that Smith’s version of “God Bless America” should not be played.

Smith’s recordings with racist lyrics should be considered in context of the times.

Abraham Lincoln made racist comments, should we ban the reciting of the Gettysburg Address?